More About Hell
It has been claimed again and again that Jesus had more to say about hell than he did about heaven. It has been repeated so oft that the assertion has become an unquestioned maxim. Many preachers have made the statement, not because they knew it to be true, or had actually counted the references, but because they heard it said and assumed it so. But is it?
Carl G. Johnson writes, “Some have said that Jesus was the greatest ‘Hell-fire Preacher’ Who ever lived. He spoke more about Hell than He did about Heaven.” Are you sure about that, Brother Carl?
David Cloud is sure: “The Lord Jesus Christ spoke more about Hell than about Heaven, and He always described Hell in terms of fire and physical torment. This is not a matter that is up for debate.” No debate, Brother David? How about a little substantiation?
“Why does anyone believe in hell in these enlightened days?” Leon Morris inquires. “Because Jesus plainly taught its existence. He spoke more often about hell than he did about heaven. We cannot get around this fact.” Did Mr. Morris document his assertion? Of course not, but Robert Peterson has no difficulty in taking his word for it: “...as Morris reminds us (reminds – as in, we already knew this), Jesus spoke more often about hell than about heaven.” Are you sure it’s a fact- a fact “we cannot get around,” Brother Leon? And are you sure Brother Leon is right, Brother Robert?
Dolphus Price elaborates on the theme: “Jesus preached more about Hell than He did about Heaven; more about Hell than He did about life; more about Hell than he did about death; more about Hell than He did about anything that He preached in this world.” Are you certain, Brother Dolphus? More about hell than anything?
Hyman Appelman, without bothering to offer any evidence, affirms, “Most Christians know that the Bible says more about Hell than about Heaven. For every statement in the Bible about the land of bliss, there are at least ten concerning the pit of torment.” Brother Hyman, do you know that Christians know that? 10 to 1? Really?
Without footnoting each one, here are some others who repeat the maxim, as found on an internet search of “more about hell’:
So supposedly this maxim of Jesus speaking more about hell than heaven (“much more frequently” said one) is not up for debate, but is a fact we can’t get around, one that most Christians know to be true, and is quickly evident with a quick reading of the New Testament. Is that so? Being one who’s not willing to take someone else’s word for it, I decided to see if it‘s true. Or could it be another squawk of lazy parrots? Something false does not become true by saying it over and over. And men behind a pulpit bear a great responsibility to verify their statements. So, DID JESUS PREACH MORE ABOUT HELL THAN HE DID ABOUT HEAVEN? DOES THE BIBLE SAY MORE ABOUT HELL THAN HEAVEN? You be the judge.
The word count in the gospels is as follows: HEAVEN – 130; HELL – 15. Though that is a significant disparity, it does not actually prove anything as to the question at hand. So let’s narrow the search. We’ll take out the references that include the word “Father” as in “Father in heaven.” That means 130 – 28 = 102. So now we’re down to HEAVEN: 102; HELL – 15. That’s still greatly disproportionate; so let’s remove the references that include the word “kingdom,” thus 102 – 32 = 70.
Yet all 70 are not the words of Christ, or a reference to heaven as other than sky or space. Now if we take out all references to heaven as sky or space, and only include the words in red, we are down to 31, so it’s now 31 – 15. This is more than fair, especially considering that we are leaving out “Father in heaven” and “kingdom of heaven.” But now of the 31 – 15, how many are duplicates of each (i.e., are quoted by more than one gospel)? That would leave us with HEAVEN – 21; HELL – 10.
Now if we add other references to heaven or hell that do not quote the words (or that have “Father” in it but give other details about heaven), we have eight more apiece, thus HEAVEN – 29; HELL – 18. Christ speaks of heaven (not the atmosphere and not “Father in” or “kingdom of”) 29 times, while He speaks of hell 18. This would be generous to hell being that some of the verses included, such as Matthew 3:12 which says “burn up” or 13:40 which says “as tares are burned” would not even be claimed by many as speaking of hell. And even if you included any mention of wailing and gnashing of teeth at the judgment (7 times), the count would still be in favor of heaven.
Consider how much we learn about heaven from Christ. Heaven is where the Father is, and His will is done there. Heaven is the throne of God. Heaven is called the “Father’s house” and the Father is the Lord of heaven. Satan fell from heaven, and angels dwell in heaven. The angels of children behold the face of the Father in heaven. Heaven is a place to lay up treasure, have your name written, and receive rewards. Heaven is a place of no decay, not affected by moths, or rust. It is a safe place, not bothered by thieves. Heaven is a place where there is joy over one sinner that repenteth. There are no marriages in heaven. Those who attain heaven in the resurrection will be like the angels. Heaven is up, and a place of exaltation. Christ came from heaven, and has power in heaven. One can sin against heaven, and fire and brimstone has fallen from heaven. It is a prepared place with many mansions. All of this we learn without including any references to “the kingdom of heaven” or to “eternal life” and “everlasting life.”
Hyman Appelman’s claim that “for every statement in the Bible about the land of bliss, there are at least ten concerning the pit of torment” is patently false. In fact, the ratio is 10 to 1 in favor of heaven over hell (551 to 54; OT: 313 to 31; NT: 238 to 23). To be fair, heaven does not always refer to “the land of bliss,” but try to find a reference to hell as “the pit of torment.” The closest you could come is Luke 16 (“in hell... being in torments”), which is silent on the final judgment or the duration of the torments; or Revelation 14, which does not use the word hell, and speaks of torments that take place “in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.” If this is hell, then hell is in heaven.
Where did Brother Appelman get his information? Did he make any effort to verify his statement? Did anyone who heard it even question its veracity? If “most Christians know that the Bible says more about hell than about heaven,” it is because they know the unsubstantiated, thought oft repeated, assertions of lazy parrots- not because they know their Bibles!
Brother Price claimed that Jesus also “preached more about Hell than He did about life.” This is a very remarkable contention, considering that the gospels record Jesus using the word life 71 times (39 in the gospel of John alone). Christ spoke of “eternal life” 10 times and “everlasting life” 11 times. Again, keep in mind that though many equate or associate these phrases with heaven, we are not including them in the overall count for heaven. Also not included are the times Christ says “I go to the Father,” or any mentions of “the kingdom” in a final, future sense that most would associate with heaven. LIFE: 71 to HELL: 18.
More than death, Brother Dolphus? In some form or fashion, Christ spoke of death and dying, especially His own, and the resurrection from the dead, over 50 times. The Gospels record Christ also using the word perish 14 times. DEATH (and perish): 64+ to HELL: 18.
The most outlandish statement of Brother Price is that Jesus preached “more about Hell than He did about anything that He preached in this world.” I do not believe that Dolphus Price was a dishonest man. He most likely genuinely believed what he said. Or rather, he genuinely believed what he repeated, because I doubt the assertion was original to him. But he didn’t verify the truth of the statement. The case has been made to show that this is not true concerning heaven, life, or death. It also would be easy enough to show that Christ preached more about love (30+ times in the gospel of John alone) and about His Father (“My Father” is found in 83 verses in the gospels) than He did about hell.
But there is one subject that He so obviously and absolutely preached more about “than He did anything” else that it is a wonder that the editors who included Price’s sermon in The Baptist Vision periodical, and in the book Great Preaching on Hell, would not have readily realized that this was an utterly false statement. Even a casual reading of the gospels should make this apparent (“even with just a quick reading of the New Testament it quickly becomes evident”- see above). Perhaps Christ said so much about this subject that many miss the obvious.
What is it? “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the KINGDOM of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the KINGDOM” (Matthew 4:23). “And he said unto them, I must preach the KINGDOM of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent” (Luke 4:43). Our Lord commissioned the apostles, “Preach, saying, the KINGDOM of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7). “Kingdom” is included 9 times in the Sermon on the Mount, including twice in the “Beatitudes” and twice in the “Lord’s Prayer.” Seven “kingdom parables” are recorded in Matthew chapter 13 alone, where the word is found 12 times. Many other times Christ would say “the kingdom of heaven is like...” (Matthew 18:23; 20:1; 22:2; 25:1, 14).
Remember these classic statements? “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:23). Christ taught His followers, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), to pray “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10); and that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). From His conversation with Nicodemus (“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” – John 3:3) to His Olivet Discourse (“this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world” – Matthew 24:14), Christ preached more about the kingdom than He did anything else. Peruse the listing under kingdom in a concordance. Look down through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It will be evident.
Why does this matter? It matters because it reveals a serious problem with many folks understanding of endless torment. Instead of finding out what the Scriptures actually say, they are content to repeat what they have heard without making a Berean search to see whether those things are so (Acts 17:11). They haven’t bothered to investigate how Scripture consistently uses the word perish. They haven’t searched the Scripture concerning whether the soul is immortal, or if it can and will die. They haven’t made the effort to study the comprehensive coherency of what all of the relevant texts consistently teach.
But they don’t mind glibly repeating that Christ taught more on hell than he did on heaven, even though it’s not true. For you that have been so persevering to read this to its conclusion, I must ask you: What else is not true about what you’ve always heard about hell, judgment, and endless torment? Will you continue to repeat, or will you endeavor to verify? Compare the two sets of charts. The first is a list of direct references to HEAVEN and HELL, the second a list of passages concerning the subjects that do not include the words.
HEAVEN
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you... for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:11,12
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (also Luke 11:2)
Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne. Matthew 5:34
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matthew 6:20
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell. Matthew 11:23 (also Luke 10:15)
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18
Go, and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Matthew 19:21
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? Matthew 21:25
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew 22:30
And he that shall swear by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and him that sits thereon. Matthew 23:22
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Luke 10:18
In this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents. Luke 15:7 (v. 10)
Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. John 1:51
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John 3:13
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. John 6:31
For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. John 6:33
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 6:38
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a many may eat thereof, and not die. John 6:50
I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever. John 6:51
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live for ever. John 6:58
HELL
But whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:22
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:29
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30 (also Mark 9)
Rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (also Luke 12:5)
And thou, Capernaum, which are exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell. Matthew 11:23 (also Luke 10:15)
Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:9 (also Mark 9)
For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:15
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Matthew 23:33
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments... there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from hence Luke 16:23, 26
HEAVEN
And I say unto you, That many shall come down from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Matthew 11:25 (also Luke 10:21)
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 (also Mark 13:32)
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. Luke 15:18
Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. John 6:32
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2, 3
HELL
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3:10
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12 (also Luke 3:17)
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Matthew 13:40
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:50
It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:8
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46
Note: "Kingdom of heaven" occurs 32 times in 31 verses in the Gospel of Matthew. Some form of "Father which is in heaven" occurs 18 times in the Gospels. "Angels'" and "heaven" are connected in nine verses in the Gospels. All of the above are the words of Christ.